Director of Employer Outreach, Law Career Services
Now that 2015 has officially arrived, many of you may have made resolutions relating to your personal life. Why not make a resolution to help with your professional goals as well? January is National Mentoring Month and now is the perfect time to start building a relationship with a mentor.
Why Should I Have a Mentor? Mentors can be a terrific resource for guidance on what courses to take, effective study habits, how to network, successful job search strategies, and interviewing tips. A mentor who has personally lived through similar experiences can provide helpful information about what steps you should take as well as pitfalls to avoid. And even if your mentor does not have all of the answers, he or she likely knows someone who can provide you with the information you seek.
How do I find a Mentor? Mentor relationships do not have to be formal—oftentimes the most successful relationships are created informally because two people belong to the same organization, participate in similar extracurricular activities, or know the same people. If you are looking to form a mentoring relationship, we encourage you to participate in our 30 Minute Mentorship Program, accessible via LCSOnline. There you will find a database of GGU Law School alumni and friends who are interested in speaking with GGU law students about their professional experiences. Simply search for individuals based upon practice area or other criteria then send your mentor an email requesting a 30 minute meeting that fits with his or her schedule.
What do I Talk About with My Mentor? Start by asking your mentor to tell you more about their academic and professional background. Questions could include:
- “Tell me about your experiences in law school?”
- “What courses had the biggest impact on you and why?”
- “What do you wish you knew when you were a 1L/2L/3L/recent law school graduate?”
- “How did you decide to go into this particular practice area?”
- “What are some of the reasons you enjoy your current practice?”
- What characteristics do you look for in junior attorneys?
- Which professional organizations do you find to be the most valuable?
- What publications do you read to stay current in your field of practice?
Now is a great time to seize the opportunity to form a valuable mentoring relationship—all it takes is a few minutes and you are on your way!
